When potassium and bromine atoms form chemical bonds, which type of bond is most likely to be formed?

• A. Hydrogen bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Metallic bond
• D. Covalent bond

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements involved: potassium (K) is a metal and bromine (Br) is a nonmetal.
2. Recall that metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations), while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions).
3. Potassium has 1 valence electron and bromine has 7 valence electrons; potassium will lose 1 electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, and bromine will gain 1 electron to complete its octet.
4. The transfer of electrons from potassium to bromine results in the formation of K⁺ and Br⁻ ions, which are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
5. This electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions is characteristic of an ionic bond, so potassium and bromine form an ionic bond.